Study of Pulmonary Functions in Goldsmith Workers: A CrossSectional Study

Introduction: The occupational hazards reported in jewellery workers are due to the exposure to chemicals during jewellery making like cyanide, lead, zinc, cadmium, palladium, iridium, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, chalk moulds containing high percentage of silica, etc. Spirometry lung functions were assessed in goldsmith workers and compared with the control group. Methods: Twenty males working as goldsmith workers since last 10 years and above with period of exposure to chemical fumes > 5 hours/day were tested for spirometry lung function parameters of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume at the end of one second (FEV1) and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). The results were compared with matched controls. Results:The Mean ± Standard Deviation (SD) of FVC was 63.95±9.77% in cases and 76.95±8.1 in controls. The Mean ± Standard Deviation (SD) of FEV1 was 67.25±7.65% in cases and 73.3±8.31in controls. The Mean ± Standard Deviation (SD) of MVV was 61.8±10.54% in cases and 81±5.04in controls. All the parameters studied were significantly less in goldsmith workers. Conclusions: The spirometry lung function parameters were found to be significantly lesser in goldsmith workers when compared to the matched controls.